The full figure to the lower right (shot under glass so has
reflections), is another from this period. I used figures like this in
a large, multi-stone lithograph. Good "practice" but utlitmately too
cutesy. collection WillEYE Oliver

These drawings are from art school days or shortly after, 1967-9.
The image to the left, preliminary for a painting, shows how I was
influenced by Hopper, the Ash Can School, the Social Realists. I
had not yet connected with abstraction and was still quite naive about
figuration, despite five semesters at a good art school. Had come a
long way though. I was surprized to find the thoughts written around
the drawing, that they are not all that different from what i'd have to
say today. Well, they point at where I eventually arrived. The
text reads:

"Why do I want to be an artist? It seems one is expected to do something!
so I chose something that I thought would distinguish me from others -
a superficial reason, true but a start - In degrees, i'm sure this
reason still remains - regardless of motive my awareness of life and my
relationship to it, in it, has increased. My unawareness has become
more clear to me. To understand, to see, to know has become important
to me. Art is not my religion. Art might be a vehicle which will bring me closer to life.

This moment in my work, I am trying to communicate to others how I see
human beings as they (we) stumble about our existence. At this stage I
am using the figure and am aware that some will accuse me of
illustration(!) but this is the way my inspiration - laziness -
rationalization etc; tell me to work. Perhaps i'll evolve into
total abstraction but this is where i'll start.

My attempts at sculpture are still in the "thing" category - of
relating parts - letting each part dictate the next - I feel that this
is as legitimate as my other approach - I just haven't reached a level
where it can mean as much to me."

Below are two studies of RFK. He was still alive at the time. I was
driving a taxi part-time during that period and worked in a sketch
book/pad while waiting for a fare. It's a fair likeness, something even
today I cannot be depended on to come up with... it's hit or miss. Not
my forte nor interest. I had discovered in art school that I could
develop and that got me working, excited, eager... both for the
identity and self-esteem I lacked and the intuitive glimpse I was
having of the road I would travel.

The drawing to the left is a still-life study from
a class at Layton School of Art called Composition. I must have
been a first year student so that would be 1966-7. Late in
the year so the drawing shows 6 months or so of Mr. Sofa. I
was kind of astonished at his answer when I sought his advice
about whether to shift my major from commercial to fine arts...
"It doesn't matter." he said.
collection Dusty & Maureen Ferguson